KHUJAND, July 11, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Suicides are continuing to show an upward trend in the northern Sughd province.

An official source at the Interior Ministry’s office in Sughd says 159 cases of suicide have been reported in the province over the first six months of this year, which is 38 cases more than in the same period last year.  Men, including ten minors, have reportedly committed suicide in 87 cases and women, including 14 minors, have committed suicide in 72 cases.

The latest suicide case in Sughd was registered in the Adrasman settlement, which is subordinate to the city of Qairoqqum, on July 10.  “An 8-year-old girl has been found hanged in a sheepfold.  No signs of violent death were found on her body; an investigation into the case is under way.”

It is to be noted that the authorities in northern Tajikistan set up a special group to try to stem an increase in the number of suicides in the area.